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Comcast NBCUniversal donates $100,000 to support Latinas in Tech

Comcast’s contribution to the California-based organization is an investment in Latina professionals in the technology industry and an effort to diversify the workforce.

Comcast NBCUniversal donates $100,000 to...

By Greta Anderson

June 04, 2018

Latinas make up only 2 percent of all U.S. tech professionals, according to a 2015 report by the National Center for Women in Information Technology, though the growing population of Hispanic women is viewed as untapped potential for diversity of thought and talent that could benefit large tech companies.

These companies include Comcast NBCUniversal, which announced in May that it would contribute $100,000 to Latinas in Tech (LiT), a California-based, non-profit organization that supports over 2,000 Latina women who work in technology fields with professional development workshops, recruiting and mentorship programs.

The donation funded LiT’s inaugural “LiT Recruit” event in San Francisco on May 23 and the launch of “LiT Career Hub,” an online career network that aims to connect recruiters and industry leaders with LiT members searching for job opportunities. The partnership with Comcast will also assist LiT’s annual summit, set for Nov. 15 in San Francisco.

The Career Hub will work closely with human resources representatives and hiring managers from top tech companies to ensure its effectiveness in advancing the careers of Latina women in tech. LiT described it as a resource for its members looking for employment, and “the bridge for tech companies that want to diversify their talent.” Regional Vice President of Comcast’s California region John Gauder agreed that the company’s investment will help foster a more diverse workforce in the tech industry.

“Latinas in Tech’s mission aligns perfectly with Comcast’s commitment to investing our resources in ways that help communities realize the transformative potential of media and technology to solve problems, improve lives and to create opportunity,” Gauder said. “Comcast is proud to partner and invest in Latinas in Tech for their ongoing strategic focus on empowering and educating Latinas.”

With the donation, LiT Co-founders Rocio Medina and Gretel Perera plan to continue growing their organization with more frequent LiT Meetups and by introducing new chapters, adding to the existing six in cities across the U.S. and in Mexico City. They specifically thanked Community Impact Director in California Lorena Hernandez for her efforts to support LiT’s mission. Hernandez attended the organization’s Silicon Valley summit in 2017 where the two founders met her and said they shared a “mutual admiration.”

“Lorena is leading Comcast’s efforts to support organizations that drive an impact in the community and in the tech industry,” Perera said in a press release on LiT’s website. “We are beyond grateful to receive this contribution from Comcast. These funds will allow us to take our efforts to the next level and further enhance our mission of empowering Latinas working in tech.”